That’s just music

Metallica had announced the name of their new album (finally!). As Reuters says, the band’s ninth album is going to be called “Death Magnetic”. During the previous week they were adding a new letter each day on their web site bringing out this powerful title.

The release is planned on September 2008 with the help of Metallica’s traditional partners Warner Bros. Records. Most likely it will include ten new songs, and as everyone hopes “Death Magnetic” will not sound like their last three releases (good albums as well). Rick Rubin as a sound producer and a new bassist Robert Trujillo are expected to bring these innovations.

Their previous studio album “St. Anger” was released in 2003.

Coldplay’s new fourth album sold 300 thousand copies only after three days since it came out on June 12, says NME. It means that “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends” is standing on top of the British music charts, and makes it up to the Platinum status in Britain.

Besides that, this album became the best selling in the band’s history. Their previous three albums sold 10 million copies each.

The album’s first single “Violent Hill” was available for free on a band’s website in the beginning of May. This track was downloaded by two million people worldwide.

Ex-Suede vocalist (the Brit-pop band) Bratt Anderson has announced the release of his solo album “Wilderness”.

As notes New Musical Express, the exact date of the release in not known yet, but Anderson’s fans who will attend his concert on July 7 in Mermaid Theatre (London) will receive a free copy of this CD on USB-flash cards.

This album was recorded by Anderson himself playing guitar and piano. Violoncellist Amy Langley and back-vocalist Emmanuel Senoue have also participated in the process.

The first Anderson’s solo work – the album “Bratt Anderson” was released in 2007.

Duran Duran’ bassist John Taylor has accused Madonna of stealing his ideas, says Gigwise.

He insists on the fact that she stole his idea on asking Justin Timberlake and Timbaland to participate in making of the Duran Duran’s album. Taylor said that “it wouldn’t be the first time Madonna’s copied us. She’s been doing it for years”, but not specifying where and when she was doing it.

Justin Timberlake and Timbaland were producing Madonna’s new album “Hard Candy” that was released this spring. The album had conquered number one on the British hits-chart. In contrast, the same two singers have participated in the Duran Duran’s production of their “Red Carpet Massacre” in 2007 which received 44^th place.

American and British associations of independent music had announced their wish to make a holiday dedicated to independent musicians. They’ve decided to carry out this event on fourth of July – during the American independence day.

As Pitchfork says, associations are planning to release two compilations where popular musicians will make covers of the famous hits made by indie-bands of the past. Following artists will take part in recording of an American compilation – Prodigy, Editors, Maximo Park, British Sea Power, Feeder, Futureheads, Slipknot, Jarvis Cocker, Devendra Banhart etc. British compilation may include independent young artists that will be recommended by musicians who participate in the first compilation.

Besides that, the day of an independent musician is going to be marked by a massive sale on eBay represented by Radiohead, Interpol, New Pornographers, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Cat Power and others. Sale’s profit will go to the associations mentioned above.

Nine Inch Nails leader Trent Reznor has announced some changes in the band’s lineup.

As Reuters notes, Rich Fownes (bassist) is going to be replaced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen who was previously co-working with Beck and Garbage.

A new musician shall join Reznor, and the rest of the band (Robin Finck, Josh Freese, and Alessandro Cortini) during their North American tour that will start on June 25. Following the words said by the leader of Nine Inch Nails, the current lineup is ‘now the strongest than ever in it’s history’.

Just for a reminder – in the beginning of May Nine Inch Nails had released the new album “The Slip” which is available on their official website absolutely for free.

Lily Allen has participated in the recording of the new Kaiser Chiefs’ album.

Allen sang one of the songs together with the group’s leader Ricky Wilson. A song shall appear on this new release.  Kaiser Chiefs are recording their third album, and some experts are predicting it to be their best so far. The last one – Yours Truly, Angry Mob was released in 2007. Kaiser’s new work is still staying without a name, and the release date is unknown.

Popular British DJ Mark Ronson who had received Brit Awards this year for being ‘the best performer’ is producing the new Kaiser Chiefs’ album.  Also, he used to produce Lily Allen’s solo projects. In the meantime, she is finishing recording of her second album.

Ozzy Osbourne has won the court case against a newspaper which was saying that a recent Brit Awards ceremony was almost cancelled because of his health problems, notes Sky News.

An article called ‘Ozzy Freak Show’ was published by the British  tabloid Daily Star in February (2008) soon after Ozzy together with his wife Sharon and his two children took part in mentioned above ceremony as a presenter.

This article said that right before the show Osbourne fell twice and organizers were looking forward to hospitalize him without allowing his participation.

Besides that, Daily Star wrote that Ozzy was moving on a wheelchair, asking managers to find him a good seat, so when he gets tired during the ceremony he may take some rest.

Ozzy’s suit against a publishing company Express Newspapers was tried by the High Court of England and Wales in London. Following the results of this case trial Daily Star was forced to admit that their material about Ozzy was ‘totally false’, and a newspaper’s lawyer Kate Wilson brought some excuses to a musician.

A sum of indemnity that will be payed by Express Newspapers will go to the charity organization led by Sharon Osbourne – Colon Cancer Program. Also, Express Newspapers should cover Ozzy’s court expanses.

Popular Iceland’ musicians – singer Bjork and the post-rock band Sigur Rose – have announced their joint concert in that country’s capital – Reykjavík.

As Pitchfork says, this show will take place on June 28, but it’s exact venue is not known yet. Besides Bjork and Sigur Ros this concert is welcoming various foreign groups, and Olof Arnalds who is famous for his cooperation with the band Mum. Musicians are trying to attract public’s attention to the Iceland’s environmental problems.

New Musical Express is adding that Sigur Ros are planning to make another very special concert in New York. This performance shall occur in the Museum of Modern Art and may accompany Olafur Eliasson’s exposition (Iceland’s artist).

On June 23 Sigur Ros are going to release their new (fifth) album.

Tori Amos has stopped her cooperation with Epic Records label in order to become an independent musician, says Billboard.

As Tori’s manager John Witherspoon notes, she wants to be like many current musicians who carry their creative work to their listeners without any borders set by record labels.

Before Epic Records Amos was working with Atlantic Records for nine years – since 1992 to 2001. The last album (“American Doll Posse”) produced by Epic was released in 2007. A new release (this time totally independent) is planned for the next year.

In the meantime, Tori Amos is writing music for the British National Theater, and in July she is going to present a book, Comic Book Tattoo.